New Dances from Emsworth
The Emsworth Folk Dance Club started in February 2001, and has met fortnightly during the autumn and winter each year since then. They do not want to be known as 'show dancers', but aim to get right what they are doing, and have fun in doing so.
At the Christmas party in 2006, a light-hearted competition was set for the seasonal break, to compose a new dance in the traditional style, for all of them to enjoy in the New Year. As the original 'two' were tried during January 2007, other members gained confidence and produced more throughout the year. They not only wrote them, but took responsibility for teaching them, and with help from David Kingcome, sorted suitable tunes, - and then had a go at 'calling' them.
Having got this far, the group went on to produce a delightful book of the new dances, with such titles as the Supermarket Stomp (written by Jane Stuttard who suggests that the dance reflects an everyday modern activity, of travelling, parking, shopping and the cashier/conveyor belt), Maureen Ballard-Neale's Ebb and Flow (reflecting the Emsworth tides rising and falling twice a day and the reflection of this in the daily rhythm in our lives)
The points initially given to help were to:
• choose the 'shape' of the dance - square, circle, longways, (3, 4, 5, 6 couples), or progressive
• decide 'how long' - either 4 or 6 component parts, each of which should fit 8 bars of music.
• incorporate traditional items, such as circle left and right, stars, gallops, ladies' chains, but each dance had to have at least one part which was unique.
• having got that far, they suggested keeping it simple, so lovely to see some common sense.
• name the dance and think of its origin
• find some suitable music
The results were so varied, that every new dance was declared a 'winner', and its creator won a bottle of wine. They now proudly present their efforts to others, and dedicate them to the on-going tradition of English Folk Dance.
I especially liked "the Emsworth Three-sided Square", written by Barbara Hammond, based on Emsworth's village Square having only 3 sides. And another that really caught my eye was "Vine to Wine" in which Margaret Higgins has written a dance with 4 sections from planting the vines, through rain and sunshine to harvest (stripping the willow) and treading the grapes (with 2 "stomping balances into the middle")
If anyone would like a copy of the booklet (£7.50, including postage) then contact Barbara Hammond on 01243 370351 or email brian@br2811.demon.co.uk.
Cecil Sharp House
Every month, I see events that are going on at Cecil Sharp house, up in London. I thought I might pick out a few that caught my eye, to perhaps tempt you into a trip up to the big city.
Doc Rowe Exhibition: Fire, Feasts and Frolics, Photography and Sculpture until 25th April
Saturday 14th March. What the Folk? Lecture. Groanbox Boys present 'Subtle Hammering and Nuanced Groaning'.
Saturday 7th March. Kent Night. Good mix of dancing from Playford to Circles, Squares, Grids, and Contra.
Scottish Ceilidh Club, since we missed out on the workshop in early February, have meetings 13th, 20th, 27th, 28th March
Tuesday 21st April. St George and the Diaspora Dragon. Music from Ian King of England, Theatrical madness from the Suffolk Howlers Mummers. Lots of folk dancing, beer and dragon's blood. Plus a brawl in the bar!
See www.efdss.org, 020 7485 2206
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Submitted by (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).